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Lucy Davis
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Lucy Clare Davis (born 17 February 1973)[1][2] is an English actress known for playing Dawn Tinsley in the BBC comedy The Office (2001–2003), Hilda Spellman in the Netflix series The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018–2020), Dianne in the Comedy horror Shaun of the Dead (2004), and Etta Candy in Wonder Woman (2017). She played Eva in Disney Channel's action comedy series The Villains of Valley View (2022–2023).
Key Information
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Early life
[edit]Davis was born 17 February 1973,[3] in Birmingham, England. Her father is the well-known Brummie comedian Jasper Carrott.[4] She was educated at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.[5]
Career
[edit]Davis appeared briefly in an episode of The Detectives, a show created for and starring her father (Jasper Carrott).[4] She played Maria Lucas in the BBC's 1995 production of Pride and Prejudice, and also had a role in the 1996 Christmas special of One Foot in the Grave. After her breakthrough role as Dawn Tinsley in The Office, she appeared in the films Sex Lives of the Potato Men and Shaun of the Dead in 2004, whilst continuing to play Hayley Jordan in The Archers on BBC Radio 4. She gave up this last role when her other acting responsibilities made it impossible to continue, and the part was recast in September 2005.
Davis appeared in the third-season episode "Elephants and Hens" of UK TV programme Black Books.[6] In 2006, she appeared as the "Fashion TV" host on ABC's Ugly Betty, and later that year played writer Lucy Kenwright in NBC's Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. In 2008, she appeared in several episodes of the US series Reaper. In 2010, she starred in ITV's six-episode comedy drama, Married Single Other, and also appeared in a guest role in The Mentalist alongside her then-husband Owain Yeoman.[citation needed] She also appears in the John Landis-produced thriller Some Guy Who Kills People.[7] In 2012, she had a guest voice part in Family Guy for the episode "Be Careful What You Fish For". She appeared in series two, episode eight of the BBC series Death in Paradise (2013). She became a Patron for the performing arts group Theatretrain in 2012.[8]
Davis played Etta Candy in the 2017 film Wonder Woman, the first live-action cinematic portrayal of the comic book character.[9] She said of the character: "She's a woman in a man's world and so being heard and seen aren't the easiest things, but it kind of doesn't deter her. Etta is unapologetically herself and I think that that's the thing that has drawn me to her the most... it took quite a while in my life to be unapologetically myself."[9]
Davis appeared in the Netflix series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina as Hilda Spellman, which aired from 2018 to 2020.[10] She is starring as Eva, known as the supervillain Surge, on the Disney Channel sitcom The Villains of Valley View which premiered on 3 June 2022.[11]
Personal life
[edit]Davis is the daughter of Hazel Jackson and comedian Robert Davis, better known as Jasper Carrott. In December 1997, she underwent a kidney transplant after being diagnosed with kidney failure during a medical examination. Her mother donated the kidney.[12] Around Christmas 2005 she was again hospitalised for kidney failure, but recovered. She also has type 1 diabetes.[13][14]
On 9 December 2006, Davis married Welsh actor Owain Yeoman at St Paul's Cathedral, London. The wedding was attended by fellow The Office cast members and writers. She was entitled to marry there as her father is an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)[15] and St Paul's contains the chapel of the order. Davis and Yeoman separated in January 2011 and divorced in October 2011.[citation needed]
In 2007, Davis posed nude in the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals's campaign against the Guards Division's continued use of traditional bearskin caps.[16]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | The Gambler | Dunya | |
| 2002 | Nicholas Nickleby | Maid | |
| 2004 | Sex Lives of the Potato Men | Ruth | |
| Shaun of the Dead | Dianne | ||
| 2005 | Rag Tale | Debbs | |
| 2006 | The TV Set | Chloe McCallister | |
| Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties | Abby Westminster | ||
| 2008 | Shades of Ray | Director #2 | |
| 2009 | All About Steve | Patient | |
| Bob Funk | Janet | ||
| 2011 | Some Guy Who Kills People | Stephanie | |
| 2014 | Postman Pat: The Movie | Director 1 | Voice role |
| 2017 | Wonder Woman | Etta Candy |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | The Detectives | Young Girl #1 | Episode: "Strangers in Paradise" |
| 1994 | Blue Heaven | Secretary | Episode #1.3 |
| Woof! | Eileen Tully | Episode: "Get Me to the Church" | |
| 1995 | Casualty | Sarah Jackson | Episode: "Branded" |
| The Bill | Jude Mackie | Episode: "Charity and Beating" | |
| Pride and Prejudice | Maria Lucas | 5 episodes | |
| 1996 | Scene | Julie | Episode: "Alison" |
| One Foot in the Grave | Mrs. Blanchard | Episode: "Starbound" | |
| 1997 | The Grand | Maggie Rigby | Episode #1.5 |
| 1999–2000 | Belfry Witches | Old Noshie | 13 episodes |
| 2000 | Doctors | Nicky Andrews | Episode: "False Alarm" |
| 2001 | Big Bad World | Harry | Episode: "Tory Girl" |
| Bernard's Watch | Madeleine | 6 episodes | |
| 2001–2003 | The Office | Dawn Tinsley | Main character; 14 episodes |
| 2002 | Murder in Mind | Kerry | Episode: "Passion" |
| Holby City | Kelly Bridges | Episode: "Sweet Love Remembered" | |
| Dalziel and Pascoe | Jax / Angela Ripley | 2 episodes | |
| 2003 | The Afternoon Play | Laura | Episode: "The Real Arnie Griffin" |
| 2004 | Black Books | Becky | Episode: "Elephants and Hens" |
| The Legend of The Tamworth Two | Sundance (voice) | TV movie | |
| 2006–2007 | Ugly Betty | Fashion TV Anchor | 2 episodes |
| Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip | Lucy Kenwright | 16 episodes | |
| 2007 | Californication | Nora | Episode: "Hell-A Woman" |
| 2008 | Reaper | Sara | 3 episodes |
| 2008–2009 | Phineas and Ferb | Crash (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2010 | Married Single Other | Lillie | 6 episodes |
| The Mentalist | Daphne Valiquette | Episode: "18-5-4" | |
| 2012 | Family Guy | Joanne Finn (voice) | Episode: "Be Careful What You Fish For" |
| 2013 | Death in Paradise | Vicky Woodward | Episode #2.8 |
| The Neighbors | Helen Redding Kemper | Episode: "The Neighbours" | |
| 2015 | NCIS | Janice Brown | Episode: "Lockdown" |
| 2015–2016 | Maron | Emily | 6 episodes |
| 2016–2017 | Better Things | Macy | 8 episodes |
| 2018–2020 | Chilling Adventures of Sabrina | Hilda Spellman | Main cast |
| Tigtone | Queen | 9 episodes | |
| 2019 | Bob's Burgers | Princess Paula McCartney (voice) | Episode: "Bed, Bob and Beyond" |
| Carmen Sandiego | The Mechanic (voice) | Episode: "The Need For Speed Caper" | |
| 2022–23 | The Villains of Valley View | Eva/Surge | Main role |
Radio
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–2005 | The Archers | Hayley Jordan |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Award | Date | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Loaded Lafta Awards | Funniest woman | Won | [17] | |
| 2024 | Romford Film Festival | Best Actress | Have a Good Day (Short film) | Nominated | [18] |
References
[edit]- ^ "Lucy's tweet about her birthday". Retrieved 3 January 2018.
- ^ "Lucy Davis". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 22 September 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
- ^ "Lucy's tweet about her birthday". Retrieved 3 January 2018.
- ^ a b Gee, Catherine (16 February 2010). "Lucy Davis on Married Single Other". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 13 June 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
- ^ "Italia Conti Alumni". italiacontiagency.com. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ^ "Black Books". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
- ^ "First Look: Images From Some Guy Who Kills People". 15 March 2010. Archived from the original on 29 June 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2020 – via bloody-disgusting.com.
- ^ "Patrons". Theatretrain. Archived from the original on 21 July 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
- ^ a b From ‘The Office’ to ‘Wonder Woman’: Get to Know Lucy Davis Archived 27 May 2017 at the Wayback Machine by Angelique Jackson 12:08 PM PDT, 26 May 2017
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (16 February 2018). "Netflix's Sabrina The Teenage Witch Series Casts Lucy Davis as Aunt Hilda". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 17 February 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
- ^ Jacobs, Meredith (28 April 2022). "Disney Sets Superhero Shows 'The Villains of Valley View' and 'Ultra Violet & Black Scorpion' (VIDEO)". Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- ^ "Comedian's daughter saved by kidney transplant". BBC. 23 December 1997. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2006.
- ^ "The Office star Davis hospitalised for kidney failure". Contactmusic.com. 2 January 2006. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2006.
- ^ "Lucy Davis | Diabetes UK"
- ^ "Office star marries at St Paul's". BBC. 9 December 2006. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2006.
- ^ Donohue, Alex (13 August 2007). "The Office star strips for Peta anti-fur campaign". Campaign. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
- ^ "Loaded with awards 2004". chortle.co.uk. 2 December 2004.
- ^ "Lucy Davis Awards". imdb (index source only). Retrieved 21 June 2025.
External links
[edit]- Lucy Davis at IMDb
- "Celeb interview: Lucy Davis, The Office". BBC Lancashire. 2 October 2002. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
Lucy Davis
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Lucy Clare Davis (born 17 February 1973) is an English actress best known for her portrayal of Dawn Tinsley, the long-suffering receptionist, in the BBC sitcom The Office (2001–2003).[1][2] Born in Solihull, West Midlands, to comedian Jasper Carrott (born Bob Davis) and his wife Hazel, Davis debuted on screen alongside her father in the BBC comedy series The Detectives (1993–1997).[3][4] Her career encompasses a range of comedic and dramatic roles, including Dianne in the zombie comedy film Shaun of the Dead (2004), Etta Candy in the superhero film Wonder Woman (2017), and Hilda Spellman in the Netflix supernatural series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018–2020).[1][2] Davis's performances have highlighted her versatility, transitioning from British television staples to international film and streaming projects.
Early life
Family background and upbringing
Lucy Davis was born on February 17, 1973, in Solihull, a suburb of Birmingham in the West Midlands of England, as the eldest child of comedian Jasper Carrott—whose real name is Bob Davis—and his wife, Hazel Jackson.[5][4][6] She grew up in the Birmingham area alongside three siblings in a close-knit family environment, with her father's prominence as a Brummie comedian offering early glimpses into the entertainment world through his stand-up routines and television appearances.[7] The family's suburban life in Solihull provided a stable, optimistic household dynamic, which Davis later described as reminiscent of the wholesome Waltons family, amid the working-class roots of the region.[8]Initial interests in performing arts
Davis joined the Lapworth Players, a local amateur drama group, during her school years near Warwick, marking her initial foray into organized theatrical activities.[9] She also spent significant time at the Birmingham Rep Youth Theatre, favoring such engagements over conventional teenage social pursuits like attempting underage pub visits. In her final year of secondary education, Davis studied theatre at A-level, where her commitment stood out; her teacher, John Shortall, head of theatre studies, described her as "very, very dedicated."[10] Upon finishing school, at age 18, she relocated to London for drama school enrollment, intentionally omitting mention of her father's comedic career to her peers and instructors, thereby pursuing opportunities on her own merits rather than familial connections.[11] This foundation of grassroots and academic involvement propelled her toward professional auditions by the mid-1990s, securing her screen debut as Maria Lucas in the BBC's six-part 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.[7]Career
Early roles in British television and film (1990s)
Davis's professional acting career commenced in British television with the role of Maria Lucas in the BBC's 1995 miniseries adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, where she appeared across five episodes as the younger sister of Charlotte Lucas.[2] This supporting part marked one of her initial credited appearances in a high-profile period drama, contributing to her early exposure in the UK media landscape.[3] In 1996, she secured a guest role as Mrs. Blanchard in the Christmas special "Starbound" of the long-running BBC sitcom One Foot in the Grave, a single-episode performance amid the series' established ensemble.[12] The following year, Davis featured in episode 5 of the ITV period drama The Grand, portraying Maggie Rigby, a character involved in the hotel's staff dynamics during the 1920s setting.[13] These television spots reflected a pattern of episodic and supporting work typical for novice actors navigating the competitive British broadcasting sector. Her limited foray into film during the decade came with the role of Dunya in The Gambler (1997), a Channel 4-produced biographical drama directed by Károly Makk, adapted from Fyodor Dostoevsky's semi-autobiographical novel and focusing on themes of addiction and roulette in 19th-century Europe.[14] Starring alongside Michael Gambon and Jodhi May, Davis's part as the protagonist's love interest provided modest screen time in a production that premiered at international film festivals but received limited domestic theatrical release.[15] Overall, these early credits—spanning roughly three to four roles annually at most—highlighted a trajectory of incremental resume-building through auditions and agent representation in an industry characterized by constrained budgets and selective casting for newcomers.Breakthrough in comedy and horror (2001–2004)
Davis gained prominence portraying Dawn Tinsley, the receptionist at the fictional Wernham Hogg paper company, in the BBC Two mockumentary sitcom The Office, which aired across two series from July 2001 to December 2002, followed by Christmas specials in 2003.[16] Her character featured in an unrequited romantic arc with sales representative Tim Canterbury, adding emotional depth to the series' depiction of mundane office drudgery and awkward interpersonal dynamics.[16] While initial episodes drew modest viewership, the 2003 Christmas specials attracted 6.5 million viewers for the first installment, representing 30% audience share and signaling growing domestic popularity.[17] Concurrently, Davis co-starred in the BBC One sitcom Wild West from October 2002 to December 2004, playing alongside her father, comedian Jasper Carrott, in a series centered on rural life in Cornwall involving family-run holiday accommodations.[5] This familial collaboration provided a platform for her comedic versatility in a lighter, ensemble-driven format, though the show received limited critical attention compared to her concurrent projects.[5] In 2004, Davis appeared as Dianne, the roommate of protagonist Liz and girlfriend of the pretentious David, in Edgar Wright's horror-comedy film Shaun of the Dead.[18] Her performance contributed to the ensemble's satirical take on zombie apocalypse tropes, blending humor with horror through scenes of improvised survival and character quirks amid the undead outbreak.[18] The film, produced on a £4 million budget, grossed $31.7 million worldwide, demonstrating commercial viability for British genre filmmaking.[18]Transition to American projects and supporting roles (2005–2016)
Following the success of her British roles, Davis relocated to Los Angeles in the mid-2000s to pursue opportunities in the American entertainment industry.[19] This transition enabled her to secure guest appearances on major U.S. network television, beginning with the role of Fashion TV Anchor on the ABC series Ugly Betty in 2006, where she appeared in episodes such as "The Box and the Bunny" and "Swag."[20] That same year, she portrayed writer Lucy Kenwright in the NBC drama Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, a short-lived series created by Aaron Sorkin that satirized behind-the-scenes television production.[21] She also took on a supporting role as Natalie Klein in the independent film The TV Set, a comedy-drama about the pilot development process directed by Jake Kasdan.[22] Davis continued building her U.S. portfolio with recurring and guest spots that showcased her range in comedy and drama. In 2008, she guest-starred as Daphne Valiquette, a suspect in a murder investigation, on CBS's The Mentalist in the episode "18-5-4."[23] Her film work included the role of Janet in the 2009 independent comedy Bob Funk, which explored personal and professional struggles in New York.[2] By 2011, she appeared as Stephanie, a recently divorced woman entering a quirky romance, in the horror-comedy Some Guy Who Kills People, produced by John Landis and directed by Jack Perez. These roles demonstrated her adaptability across genres, from procedural dramas to indie films. Throughout this period, Davis navigated challenges associated with typecasting from her iconic portrayal of Dawn Tinsley in The Office, occasionally being rejected for parts seeking actors "just like" that character despite her own history in the role.[24] Persistent auditioning in a competitive market yielded steady supporting work rather than leads, reflecting the merit-based demands of Hollywood where versatility and reliability sustained her career without reliance on prior fame alone.[25]Franchise roles and recent television (2017–present)
Davis portrayed Etta Candy, a comedic sidekick and secretary to Steve Trevor in the 2017 film Wonder Woman, directed by Patty Jenkins as part of the DC Extended Universe.[26] The character drew from comic book origins as a loyal, spirited companion to Diana Prince, emphasizing humor and support amid action sequences.[27] The film achieved significant commercial success, opening to $103.3 million domestically on June 2, 2017, and grossing $411 million in North America alongside $819 million worldwide against a $149 million budget.[28] Davis briefly reprised the role with a photographic cameo as an elderly Etta in Wonder Woman 1984 (2020).[29] From 2018 to 2020, Davis appeared as Hilda Spellman in Netflix's Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, depicting the character's eccentric, nurturing aunt with a focus on "kitchen magick" in the three-part series spanning 36 episodes.[30] Hilda served as a recurring counterbalance to the more stern Zelda Spellman, contributing to family dynamics in the horror-fantasy adaptation of the Archie Comics property.[31] Post-2020 credits include the recurring role of Eva, a villainous figure, in Disney Channel's action-comedy series The Villains of Valley View across its 2022–2023 seasons.[5] This marked a shift to family-oriented television, with no major franchise films or series announced through 2025, reflecting a sustained but lower-volume output in supporting television roles.[32]Filmography
Feature films
 as maid.
- Sex Lives of the Potato Men (2004) as Ruth.
- Shaun of the Dead (2004) as Dianne.[18]
- Rag Tale (2005) as Debbs.[33]
- The TV Set (2006) as Chloe McCallister.
- Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties (2006) as Abby Westminster.
- Shades of Ray (2008) as Director #2.
- Wonder Woman (2017) as Etta Candy.[34]
Television series
Lucy Davis's television career spans British sitcoms and American series, with roles often emphasizing comedic and supporting characters. Early credits include the receptionist Dawn Tinsley in the BBC's The Office, which aired from 2001 to 2003 across two series and a Christmas special.[16] She followed with the role of Joy in the BBC comedy Wild West from 2002 to 2004, a two-season series co-starring Dawn French. Transitioning to U.S. productions, Davis had recurring appearances as Emily in the IFC comedy Maron (2015–2016) and as Macy in FX's Better Things (2016–2017).[35] She portrayed the witch Hilda Spellman in Netflix's Chilling Adventures of Sabrina across four parts from 2018 to 2020. Guest spots include episodes of The Mentalist (CBS, 2008–2015) and NCIS (CBS, 2015).[2] In recent years, Davis stars as the supervillain Eva Madden, alias Surge, in Disney Channel's The Villains of Valley View, which premiered on June 3, 2022, and continues into subsequent seasons.[36][35]Other media appearances
Davis portrayed Hayley Tucker (née Jordan) in the BBC Radio 4 soap opera The Archers from 2000 until 2017, when she relinquished the role due to conflicts with her expanding television schedule, after which it was recast with Lorraine Coady.[37] In voice acting, she provided the voice of Crash, a member of the Bettys girl group, in the Phineas and Ferb episode "Ready for the Bettys," which aired on February 17, 2006.[38] She also voiced Princess Paula McCartney in the Bob's Burgers episode "The Ring (But Not Scary)," broadcast on November 24, 2019.[39] Additional animated credits include the recurring role of the Queen in the Adult Swim series Tigtone across its two seasons from 2019 to 2020, and guest voices such as Joanna Finn in a 2013 episode of Family Guy.[36] She contributed to audio drama by voicing Helen in the Torchwood: The Lost Files story "The House of the Dead," released by Big Finish Productions in 2010.)Personal life
Relationships and marriages
Lucy Davis married Welsh actor Owain Yeoman on 9 December 2006 at St Paul's Cathedral in London, in a ceremony attended by cast members from The Office.[40] [41] The couple had met in Los Angeles earlier that year during her relocation to the United States for acting opportunities, following a six-month courtship.[42] [43] The marriage ended in separation announced in January 2011, with divorce proceedings finalized in October 2011.[44] No specific reasons were publicly detailed by the parties, though Davis later reflected on personal challenges during that period without attributing the dissolution directly to external factors.[45] The couple had no children.[46] Davis has maintained privacy regarding her romantic life following the divorce, with no subsequent marriages or long-term partnerships publicly confirmed as of 2025.[46]Health struggles and recovery
Davis developed bulimia nervosa in her mid-teens, triggered by comments from an agent criticizing her weight after initial acting roles, leading to a cycle of bingeing, purging, and starvation that persisted for years.[47] The disorder's physiological toll included severe electrolyte imbalances from repeated vomiting, which damaged her kidneys and culminated in acute kidney failure diagnosed during a routine medical examination in 1993, prior to her involvement in a stage production of Pride and Prejudice.[47] [48] This necessitated dialysis and eventual hospitalization, with the condition publicly attributed to the eating disorder's erosive effects on renal function.[49] In December 1997, Davis underwent a kidney transplant, with her mother, Maureen, serving as the donor, which restored her renal function and marked a critical intervention in her health trajectory.[48] [50] She disclosed the full extent of her bulimia and its complications in a 2012 open letter to a British newspaper, describing episodes severe enough to produce blood in her urine due to ongoing organ stress, though the primary failure had occurred nearly two decades earlier.[51] Recovery from bulimia involved breaking the behavioral cycle through deliberate dietary restructuring, including reintroducing carbohydrates and rejecting starvation as a control mechanism, rather than relying on external validation or passive acceptance of the condition.[49] Davis relocated to Los Angeles, where she adopted consistent physical discipline, including strength training, to rebuild metabolic stability and body composition, achieving sustained remission by the mid-2010s.[47] Her improved health was evident in public appearances from 2017 onward, such as during promotions for Wonder Woman, where she embodied a robust physique aligned with her role, underscoring the efficacy of physiological self-management over narrative-driven therapies.[49]Recognition
Awards and nominations
Davis received the Funniest Woman award at the Loaded Lafta Awards in 2004, recognizing her comedic performance as Dawn Tinsley in The Office.[52] The awards, organized by Loaded magazine, highlighted standout comedy talents of the year without formal nominations process detailed publicly.[52] In 2024, she won Best Actress at the Romford Film Festival for her lead role in the short film Have a Good Day, directed by Lisa Soper, depicting a horror writer's creative struggles.[53]| Year | Award | Category | For | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Loaded Lafta Awards | Funniest Woman | The Office | Won[52] |
| 2024 | Romford Film Festival | Best Actress | Have a Good Day (short film) | Won[53] |